Sparrow Eaton Auxiliary funds equipment, continues making a difference 

CHARLOTTE, MI – The volunteer Sparrow Eaton Auxiliary is helping to fund about $45,000 in new items to improve patient care at the hospital, including a wheelchair-accessible scale and Emergency Department equipment to scan bladders.

Other newly announced items funded by the Auxiliary include a positioning aid for pediatric patients in Radiology; two BiBap machines for Respiratory Services to help keep patients off ventilators; and a new standing scale.

The Auxiliary has been in existence since 1934, almost as long as the hospital. In addition to providing valuable assistance to those who come to Sparrow Eaton, volunteers work to raise funds for patient services in a variety of ways – from bake sales to book fairs, as well as seasonal raffles. The Auxiliary has generously raised nearly half a million dollars in the past 30 years, helping improve the quality of care provided to our local community. 

“The main source of income continues to be the hospital gift shop (The Gift Basket) which is open to the public and managed by treasured members of the Auxiliary, including Annette Bruce and Amy Smith,” says Sharon Kubica, Auxiliary President. “In addition, other volunteers help decide what products to carry, how to display them, how to operate the shop, and creatively lend their entrepreneurial talents. I am just so grateful for our community members and caregivers who support the gift shop and our fundraisers.”

Said Sparrow Eaton Hospital President Helen Johnson: “Throughout the years, volunteers in the organization have demonstrated their generosity in time, loyalty, and heart, finding countless ways to support our hospital. We are so fortunate to have such talented volunteers in this community.”

Anyone interested in joining the Auxiliary may attend the group’s next meeting at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21 at Sparrow Eaton Hospital, 321 E. Harris St., Charlotte. Meetings are held in the Trumley conference center on the hospital’s second floor.

Volunteers are always needed across Sparrow Health System, including the gift shops at E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Sparrow Carson, Sparrow Clinton, Sparrow Eaton, and Sparrow Ionia.  The shops are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers also support surgical lounges, assist in patient discharge, act as Patient Concierge, and support the courtesy desk in Sparrow Eaton’s Heritage Hall among many other opportunities. 

To learn more about becoming a volunteer at any of Sparrow’s sites of care, call 517.364.3606 or visit Sparrow.org/Volunteer. 

Sparrow Health System is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia, and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.

Photos courtesy of Sparrow Health System
Photo caption: (From left) Sparrow Eaton Hospital President Helen Johnson accepts a generous donation for patient care from the Sparrow Eaton Auxiliary from Auxiliary President Sharon Kubica; Auxiliary Treasurer Marlene Darin; and Sparrow Eaton Chief Financial Officer Kim Capps.